2026 Legislative Priorities
The IDA is working on key issues during the 2026 legislative session:
Defunding and Improving Medicaid
Dental Medicaid in Iowa has been a long-standing issue for dentists. With rates failing to keep pace with costs over the last 20 years and numerous changes that create confusion, participation in the program has been difficult for many dentists. Last year, we advocated for and saw an encouraging step forward for dental Medicaid, with state legislators approving a $2.1 million increase to the program.
However, in 2026, the state is facing a budget shortfall that will require the legislators to look at cuts across Iowa’s state budget. The IDA is focused on ensuring the increase we saw last year isn’t pulled back during the 2026 legislative session as a result of the projected shortfall in the state’s budget.
Preparing for Potential Defensive Items
Each legislative session, there are numerous bills that are introduced that we need to monitor and defend against.
One issue that dentists across the country currently face is threats to Community Water Fluoridation (CWF). In 2025, three states, Florida, Oklahoma, and Utah, ended statewide CWF efforts and banned the addition of fluoride to water systems. Additionally, several other states have faced direct challenges to their CWF efforts, including Louisiana and Ohio. We are prepared to take action on this issue, should it come up during the session. We have engaged key stakeholders across the legislature, including our two dentists, Representatives Dr. Steve Bradley and Dr. Tom Jeneary, as well as other legislators in key leadership positions.
If any issues arise during the session that dentists need to engage on, rest assured that your advocacy team is prepared to take them head-on with the guidance from the IDA Legislative Committee.
